AUSTIN (KXAN) — Federal prosecutors filed out 40 federal cases involving gun-related crimes in Austin in “recent months” as part of an effort to get some of Central Texas’ most dangerous criminals off the streets.
In a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons said his team has worked closely with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies as well as Travis County District Attorney’s Office to identify cases for federal prosecution as part of an initiative to tackle violent crime in the community.
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“It is imperative that we focus our law enforcement resources and efforts on individuals who commit violent crimes, especially when those crimes are committed with firearms,” he said. Simmons also addressed that APD has maintained a roughly 300-person staffing shortage in recent years.
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Charges filed under the initiative include possession of a firearm by a felon, drug trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and illegal possession of machine guns, Simmons’ office said.
The penalties for convictions in these cases will range from 10, 15 and 30-year minimum sentences, with some reaching life in federal prison…